Lifting device for a treadmill

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a lifting device for a treadmill comprising: a motor for positioning and transmitting a spindle pivotably connected to the bottom of the deck frame; a socket screwed to the spindle and movable to and fro by rotating the spindle; a T-shaped cross bar pivotably connected with the socket, the T-shaped cross bar extending between both sides of the deck frame, and two lifting rods each with one end connected to the T-shaped cross bar and with the other end pivotally connected to the front end of the base seat, thereby forming a pivot point. Accordingly, when the lifting motor is actuated to allow the socket to be displaced by rotating the spindle, the T-shaped cross bar and the lifting rods move in the desired direction. Therefore, the deck frame is movable up and down on the pivot point.

[0001] The invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/053147 and 10/139559.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a lifting device for a treadmill having a more compact configuration, considerably reducing the production and assembly cost.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The lifting device of the treadmill is used to adjust the supporting angle of the deck frame of the treadmill, that is, the walking slope. This device can be mechanically or electrically operated. The present invention belongs to an electric lifting device. Meanwhile, the invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/053147 and 10/139559 both of which have been disclosed by the same inventor of the invention.

[0006] Referring to FIGS. 4 through 7, a well-known lifting device for a treadmill includes a motorized transmission assembly 61 on a deck frame 60. A slide rail 62 is arranged at the both inner sides of the deck frame 60 so that two supporting parts 64 with rollers 63 can slide in the slide rail 62 for a forward and backward movement. Consequently, a walking frame 65 thereof is pivotably connected to the top of the supporting parts 64.

[0007] In order to strengthen the supporting force of the supporting parts 64, an auxiliary supporting rod 66 has to be interposed between the top of the supporting parts 64 and the deck frame 60, thereby causing the complexity of the whole components and increasing the assembly and component costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is a primary object of the present invention to remove the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a lifting device for a treadmill which has more simple components. Meanwhile, the economical effect and the assembly convenience are attainable as well. In addition, the supporting force of the invention is easily controllable. Furthermore, an upright support together with a pull rod connected to the frame creates a pivot point. Accordingly, the potential drawbacks in using the conventional lifting device are removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing in accordance with FIG. 1, showing the action thereof;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the preferred embodiment in accordance with FIG. 1 in the folding-up state of a deck frame;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a conventional lifting device;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of the conventional lifting device of FIG. 4;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing in accordance with the conventional lifting device of FIG. 4, showing the action thereof; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing in accordance with the conventional lifting device of FIG. 4 in the folding-up state of the deck frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] First of all, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes an upright support 10 and a deck frame 20. The deck frame 20 is substantially rectangular and has a first cross bar 21 on which a running belt transmission assembly 30 is mounted while a front roller 22 is driven in motion by means of a transmission belt 32. A running belt 24 is rotatable by means of the front roller 22 and a rear roller 23. A support wheel 25 is fitted to both bottom inner sides at the rear end of the deck frame 20. And the upright support 10 is mounted at both sides of the front end of the deck frame 20. A console 11 is disposed at the top of the upright support 10 while a base seat 12 is connected to the bottom thereof.

[0018] A lifting motor 41 for positioning and transmitting a spindle 40 is pivotably connected to the bottom of the deck frame 20. A socket 42 is movable backward and forward by rotating the spindle 40. The other end of the socket 42 is pivotably connected to a T-shaped cross bar 26 which extends between both sides of the deck frame 20 and each end of the cross bar 26 is connected with a lifting rod 27. The other end of each of the lifting rods 27 is pivotably connected to the front end of the base seat 12, thereby forming a pivot point 28. Accordingly, when the lifting motor 41 is actuated to allow the socket to be displaced by rotating the spindle 40, the T-shaped cross bar 26 and the lifting rods 27 move in the desired direction. Therefore, the deck frame 20 will be moved up and down on the pivot point 28.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the deck frame 20 can be folded-up by pivoting the deck frame 20 between the use position and the folded position on the pivot point 28.

[0020] Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lifting device for a treadmill having a substantially rectangular deck frame with a first cross bar on which a running belt transmission assembly is mounted while a front roller is driven in motion by means of a transmission belt, a running belt being rotatable by means of the front roller and a rear roller, a support wheel being fitted to both bottom inner sides at the rear end of the deck frame, an upright support being mounted at both sides of the front end of the deck frame, a console being disposed at the top of the upright support while a base seat is connected to the bottom thereof, the lifting device comprising: a) a motor for positioning and transmitting a spindle pivotably connected to the bottom of the deck frame; b) a socket screwed to the spindle and movable to and fro by rotating the spindle; c) a T-shaped cross bar pivotably connected with the socket, the T-shaped cross bar extending between both sides of the deck frame; and d) lifting rods each with one end connected to the T-shaped cross bar and with the other end pivotally connected to the front end of the base seat so as to form a pivot point; whereby, when the lifting motor is actuated to allow the socket to be displaced by rotating the spindle and then the T-shaped cross bar and the lifting rods move in the desired direction, the inclination of the deck frame is adjustable and the deck frame is movable between the use position and the folded position. 